—•Avery Pov•—
Hours later, I stood at the entrance of the pack house, squinting against the bright sunlight. The dress was even worse when I put it on. It was too tight around my chest, making it hard to breathe, and the rough fabric itched against my skin. The yellowed color made my pale skin look sickly, and the uneven hem dragged on the ground, collecting dirt. Around me, omega servants bustled about, preparing for the ceremony. I could feel their judging eyes on me, hear their whispered comments. "Look at her," one of them sneered. "Even on her wedding day, she looks pathetic." "She thinks she’s Luna material”’ Another voice, sharp with laughter. ‘That dress looks like it’s from the garbage.’ "I don't know what Alpha Ryan sees in her," another replied. "She doesn't even have a wolf. It's unnatural." I felt every word like a slap across my face, but I refused to let them see me break. So I smiled to spite them. Wide and bright. Even if it didn’t reach my eyes. Let them talk. Let them laugh. They would eat their words soon enough. Any minute now, Ryan’s Beta, Jacob, would arrive to escort me to the ceremony. And then, I would be Ryan's mate, his Luna, and no one would dare speak to me like that again. I held my chin up, pretending the sun didn’t sting my eyes and the sweat pooling at the back of my neck didn’t make me nauseous. I had already survived worse than whispers. Goddess I didn’t care about what they said. I was too happy to let their hate touch me. So what if my beautiful wedding had gone mysteriously missing and my stepmother forced me to wear this stiff, itchy one? So what if they all thought I was worthless because I didn’t have a wolf? None of it mattered. Not today. I had spent my whole life being the pack’s unwanted shadow. The daughter no one cared about. The girl blamed for her mother’s death. The pack had never hidden their contempt. They called me names behind my back. Most times to my face. And my family too were no exception. But Ryan... Ryan was different. He had always been my light in the dark, the only one who ever looked at me like I mattered. Like I belonged. I still recalled that night three moons ago, during his coronation. We had discovered we were fated mates, and now, we were about to seal that bond. Finally, after all the pain and misery, I would have something—someone—who was truly mine. I looked out at the road again. Still no sign of Ryan’s Beta. My excitement was starting to fade. Where was Jacob? My smile became harder and harder to maintain as the hot sun beat down on me. The ceremony should have started by now. The guests were waiting. I was waiting. Jacob was supposed to come fetch me for the ceremony. I tried to keep my breathing steady as time ticked on, turning seconds into minutes and minutes into aching hours. My feet were sore from standing. My scalp itched where the cheap veil was pinned too tightly where Mila had tried her best to adjust. The sun was too warm, or maybe it was just my nerves, but sweat had begun to collect at the back of my neck. Ryan’s Beta was never late. He was always precise, always dependable. That’s why Ryan trusted him above all others. But as the day ticked by, my stomach twisted with unease. Behind me, one of the omega girls let out a theatrical sigh. ‘Maybe the alpha changed his mind,’ she said, just loud enough for me to hear. Another one giggled. ‘Wouldn’t blame him.’ ‘Did she really think he would marry her?’ ‘A wolf-less omega? As if’ ‘Maybe the wedding’s canceled.’ I clenched my jaw, my fingers digging into my palms. But I didn’t respond. Because I couldn’t. If I opened my mouth, I might scream. I was humiliated, standing there like an abandoned bride in a ruined dress, waiting… hoping… No. Ryan wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t just leave me here. He loved me. Didn't he? Suddenly, a car engine roared in the distance. My head snapped up, heart leaping. A sleek black with ribbons fluttering in the wind, balloon strings tangled at the sides, sped down the pack road, kicking up dust behind it. It was the wedding car – thank the Goddess. Relief flooded through me so fast my knees nearly buckled. Finally. I took a step forward, brushing a trembling hand down the front of my dress. He was late, but he came. Everything would be okay. The car screeched to a stop in front of me. Before the driver could even get out, the passenger door flew open— And Jess stumbled out. Where was Jacob? My best friend’s face was pale, her eyes wide and frantic. Her hair was a mess, like she’d been running her hands through it over and over. Something cold slithered down my spine. "Jess?" My voice came out too thin, too shaky. "What’s wrong? Where’s Jacob?" "Avery!" she called, rushing towards me. "Oh, Goddess, Avery!" Something in her voice made my stomach drop. "What's wrong? Is Ryan okay?" Jess reached me, her breathing heavy, her eyes wide with disbelief. "The wedding... Avery, the wedding already happened!"—•Avery Pov•—Two months passed in my gilded cage. I was now showing a small bump, and each day brought new discomforts. Morning sickness plagued me constantly, and the loneliness was crushing.Tonight was the annual Moon Festival—a celebration where all packs gathered under the full moon to strengthen alliances and honor the Moon Goddess. In previous years, I had been allowed to attend but was mostly ignored, the wolfless omega nobody wanted to acknowledge.This year, Ryan had ordered me to attend as well. "People are starting to talk about your absence," he'd said coldly. "You will come to the festival and smile. You will tell everyone how happy you are to be carrying the future heir of Red Stone Pack."So here I was, dressed in a loose green gown that did little to hide my slightly swollen belly, standing alone in the gardens away from the crowd in the grand hall. I couldn't bear to watch Ryan and Kira playing the happy couple, accepting congratulations for both their marriage a
—•AVERY’s POV•—The drive was silent.Two guards sat in the front, while I rode in the backseat with Ryan. He stared out the window, arms folded. I didn’t look at him. If I did, I might claw out his eyes for what he did to me. The farther we drove from the pack house, the more I memorized everything I saw. Landmarks, turns, the scent of pine.Ten minutes into the ride, I pretended to feel dizzy.I leaned forward slightly, pressing a hand to my head.Ryan gave me a disinterested glance. “What now?”"I… I need some air,” I murmured weakly. “Please. Just a moment.”The guard glanced to Ryan through the mirror.He hesitated.Then—"Fine. Pull over.”The SUV slowed to a stop by the side of a narrow path just beyond the trees. One of the guards stepped out, opened my door.As soon as my feet hit the earth, I stumbled forward, gripping my side like I was sick.But the second the guard turned to call for assistance—I bolted.Goddess I ran like never before in my entire life. I sprinted int
—•AVERY’s POV•—Days turned into weeks full of misery and futile escape attempts. I was caged. The east wing of the pack house was nothing more than a glorified prison. The windows were barred. Guards stood at my door day and night, never speaking, just watching with cold eyes. Even when I screamed or begged, they stood like statues. Unmoved. Uncaring.The room itself was plain—just a bed, a nightstand, and a small bathroom. No freedom. At first, I counted the days by scratching lines into the wood beneath the bed, but eventually, I stopped. What was the point?I had no one left. No allies. No wolf. No family who cared about me. Not even a future.Only Ryan. Ryan visits me sometimes, not to check on me, not to apologize. But to remind me of my duty. "The pack needs an heir, Avery. Stop fighting your fate."Fate? Was it fate to be used like livestock? To be locked away and stripped of everything that made me me?When I refused to comply, the son of a bastard started taking from
—•AVERY’s POV•—I stared at Jess, the words echoing in my head but not making sense. "What do you mean? I'm the bride! How could the wedding happen without me?" She gripped my arms, her fingers digging into my skin. "Ryan married Kira! Your sister! The ceremony just ended, the whole pack was there, and I came as fast as I could to tell you." The world stopped spinning. I felt like I had been doused in ice water, my entire body going numb with shock. No. No, no, no. "That's not possible," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "You're lying Jess." But the truth was written all over Jess's face. She wouldn't lie to me, not about something like this. The ground dropped out from under me. The pack house spun around me, faces turning blurry. Somewhere nearby, cruel laughter erupted from the omega girls—but I barely registered it. All I could hear was the sound of my own heart breaking. My knees buckled. The world tilted sideways. I clutched at my chest where a terrible pain was spreading -
—•Avery Pov•—Hours later, I stood at the entrance of the pack house, squinting against the bright sunlight. The dress was even worse when I put it on. It was too tight around my chest, making it hard to breathe, and the rough fabric itched against my skin. The yellowed color made my pale skin look sickly, and the uneven hem dragged on the ground, collecting dirt. Around me, omega servants bustled about, preparing for the ceremony. I could feel their judging eyes on me, hear their whispered comments. "Look at her," one of them sneered. "Even on her wedding day, she looks pathetic." "She thinks she’s Luna material”’ Another voice, sharp with laughter. ‘That dress looks like it’s from the garbage.’ "I don't know what Alpha Ryan sees in her," another replied. "She doesn't even have a wolf. It's unnatural."I felt every word like a slap across my face, but I refused to let them see me break.So I smiled to spite them. Wide and bright.Even if it didn’t reach my eyes.Let them tal
—•AVERY’s POV•— I woke up with a fluttering in my chest so strong, I almost couldn’t breathe. Today was finally the day. My WEDDING day. After years of dreaming about this moment, I was finally going to marry Ryan Waters, my childhood sweetheart and fated mate. The sunlight streamed through the thin curtains of my small room in the pack house. I stretched my arms above my head and couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. Soon, I wouldn't be known as Avery Coleman, the pitiful, wolfless omega anymore. I would be Avery Waters, Luna of the Red Stone Pack. I had dreamed of this day for so long. Ryan was everything to me—kind, handsome, and the love of my life. Today, we would promise ourselves to each other. Nothing could ruin this moment. Nothing. Smiling, I padded over to the window and pulled aside the curtain. The sky was a flawless shade of blue—no clouds, no signs of rain. A perfect day for a wedding. The Moon Goddess had truly blessed this day. I rush